Dry cell



CII

Patented Sept, 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES P'ATENT OFFICE] FRANK H. CIRVES, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO tFRENCH BTTERY COM- PANY, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN,

A ConroRATioN oF wrscoiwsir.

DRY CELL.

Application filed May 28,

This invention relates particularly to a dry cell comprising an outer electrode consisting of a zinc can and an inner electrode consisting of a carbon pole and a body of depolarizing mix molded thereon, the molded body being introduced into the zinc can and electrolyte being introduced into the space between the depolarizing body and the can, the electrolyte being set or gelatinized.

In accordance with the present invention, 4a spacing-element of bibulous material, preferably light cardboard, is cut, or stamped, from sheet material and utilized for centering the core of depolarizing mix Within the can, the centering-element, which serves also as a spacer, being capable of being cut from a strip of cardboard in an economical manner. Also, the' spacing device is so constructed as to interpose the least possible amount of spacing material between the core and can, thus leaving room for the maximum amount of electrolyte and providing for maximum action between the core and can in the operation of the cell.

The invention is illustrated in its pre-v ferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a dry cell constructed in. accordance with the invention, the core and spacing device being shown in elevation; Fig. 2, a View of the core with the centering-element thereon, preparatory to introduction into the cup; Fig. 3, a plan view of the preferred form of centering device as stamped from the sheet material; Fig. 1L, a plan view of a modification of the centering-element; and Fig. 5, a broken plan view illustrating the manner in which the centering-elements may be stamped, or cut, from a strip of sheet material without unnecessary waste.

In the construction illustrated in Figs` 13, A designates a cup-shaped outer electrode which may be formed integrally from a disk of sheet zinc; B, a core of depolarizing mix equipped with va carbonpole B whose lower end portion is embedded in the depola-rizing mix; C, a centering-element of bibulous material, preferably light cardboard; D, electrolyte in the space between the core and zinc cup; E, a cardboard disk supported on the upper ends of the arms ofv the centering-element in such manner as to provide an air-space E above the core; and

, COI'G.

1927. Serial No. 195,013.

F, sealing .compound closing thev upper end of the zinc cup, the carbonpole B extending through .the disk E and the seal F.`

The centering and spacing element C preferably comprises a disk 1 equipped'at two abling the arms .to be 'bent upwardly about the corein the manner shown in Fig. 2.x The Adiagrammatically opposite arms 2are vof' sufficient length to extend a short distance above the upper surface 5 of the core` and thus to serve as a support for the pasteboard disk E. Each arm 2 is provided with furcations 2aM which are spaced a considerable distance apart at their free ends. Thus, when the centering-elements C is interposed between the core and zinc cup, the furcations 2m will embrace the upper-portion of the core at both sides of the vertical plane in which the base-portions of the arms 2 are located. Thus, the core is effectively centered within the cup, it being noted that the rudimentary arms 3 prevent any lateral shifting of the base-portion of the core in a plane at right angles to the plane of the center lines of the arms 2.

In the use of the device, the centeringelement C is caused to embrace the core in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, and the core thus embraced is inserted into the Zinc cup. The electrolyte may be introduced either before or after the insertion of the The closure-disk E is entered in the upper portion of the cup and is supported on the furcations 2". The sealing compound F is introduced in the usual way.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, C3 designates a centering and spacing element.

This is similar to the spacing-element C, ex-

cept that the furcations, designated 2, of the long arms extendto the edges of the disk 1. These furcations are separated from each other by a comparatively small angle 6, so that the extremities of the furcations do not have a greater spread than that between the tips of the short arms 3. Obviously, the

centering and spacing device shown in Fig. 4 may be stamped from sheet material without wastingmaterial. Y

The construction shown in Figs. 1-3 is preferredfit being somewhat easier to effect the assembly when this construction is employed.

Inasmuch as the disk l is interposed between the bottom of the core and the bottom of the zinc cup, it is unnecessary to insert a parafined disk between the bottom of the core and the bottom of the cup. rllhe electrolytic action which occurs in the operation of the cell may be earried on to a certain extent through the bottom disk 1 and through the material forming the arms of the centering device. .On the other hand, a large portion of the core is left withan unimpeded space between the coreand the inner wall of the 'z ijnc cnp,thus giving great freedom of action forv the electrolytic process. The core B may be wrapped in clQth', if desired; or, it may be left with a naked surface, the electrolyte filling the inl' ter'vening space between the core and Zinc cup.

' No unnecessary limitations should be understood from the foregoing detailed description.

light cheese v What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: n l

l. A dry cell comprising an outer cupshaped electrode, a core comprising a molded body of depolarizing mix and a carbon pole, a centering and spacing element comprising .a disk interposed between the core and cupbottom and having at two opposite sides long arms extending upwardly between the core and surrounding wall of the cup-shaped electrode and projecting above said core and having at theY other two sides rudimentary arms embracing the base-portion ofthe COW, a closure-disk support-ed on the upper ends of said long arms, and a sealing compound in said cup-shaped electrode above said lastmentioned disk. y

i 2. A dry cell of the character set forth in claim l in which the long arms comprise furcations which partially wrap about and embraee the upper portion of the core.`

V3. 'A construction as specified in claim l in whichthe long arms extend without division from the bottom disk of the spacing device and then form fur-cations which embrace the upper portion of the core and project a short distance above the upper end of the `Core and serve. to support the closure-disk. i

FRANK CIRVES. 

